Name: Masayo Ballard
Age: 49
Occupation: Latent Print Examiner (Fingerprint/palm print examiner) for Greensboro PD
Years doing triathlon? 8 years. I only raced 1-2 sprint races per year.
First Triathlon? Ramblin’ Rose Sprint Tri in 2011 after one of my co-workers’ encouragement to try my first ever tri.
Your favorite triathlon? Trivium’s High Point Sprint tri 2018. It was because it was the FIRST TIME EVER I didn’t feel race anxiety like I usually did. I could simply swim without panic attack. It was the best feeling of swim I ever had!
Meal the night before race? I am kind of a health nut and watch what i eat on daily basis and always cook my own meals. I don’t have particular dish that I eat just the night before the race. I just cook rice or udon noodles, veggies and fish or chicken, as normal.
Pre-Race Meal? I prefer not to eat early in the morning… but, I do force myself to eat either homemade sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit/bagel or oatmeal if I’m racing or have a long workout, just so I wouldn’t pass out.
Race Nutrition? Mixture of coconut water, Tailwind, and organic raw honey. this mixture gives me what I need throughout the race. i had it when I did Pilot to Hanging Rock Ultra and it really helped me until the end.
Favorite motivational training song? I never listen to music while working out. But I do watch motivational Triathlon/Ironman YouTube videos time to time while spinning at home, cooking, or when I feel unmotivated.
Favorite mantra? “What seems impossible today will one day become your warm-up”
Key Workout? Masters Swim Practice. I have been very intimidated by “masters swim team.” But I finally got courage to join them last summer at Wake Forest University to improve my swim. The coach gives me structured workout plan that has helped me tremendously not only with my form itself, but also with my confidence in swimming with others.
Best Triathlon training or racing tip? Even though I haven’t raced much or anything longer than Sprint tri (lake) yet, I always try to deal with each discipline as a single sport.
Triathlon literature or other sources of information? I read “USA Triathlon” that comes with the membership and “beginnertriathlete.com.” But, mostly talking to other triathletes helps the most!
Who inspires you? EVERYONE who takes challenges of this complicated sport!!!!!!!
Future goal? I finally signed up for Pinehurst International and one White Lake Fall Half this year and getting out of my comfort zone! Then I want to try SWIM RUN NC someday!